Match Report

After their convincing victory over Montrose the previous week the Annan team showed one change for this important fixture with Steven Sloan in for the unavailable Peter Weatherson. It was a crucial match for both teams but Annan once again may look back with some regret after conceding a 2 goal advantage on a day that the title swung heavily in favour of East Fife who were the only team in this division to secure a victory.

The first half was fairly uneventful in coparison to the second half with few chances to talk about but in an eventful second half the game exploded into life when Annan cruised to a two goal lead before once again conceding 2 late goals, one of which was a late late penalty, which saw Elgin equalise and the Annan Manager Jim Chapman sent to the stand for vermontly protesting the decision to award the penalty against Ben Jago after Dylan Easton appeared to dive to the ground directly in front of the Annan technical area.

The action continued deep into injury time when chaos and a mass brawl ensued after Mark Nicolson’s high and poor challenge on Smart Osadolor. The outcome of which saw Annan’s Matty Flynn being sent off for attempting to square up to Nicholson, who was given a yellow card for inciting the ensuing brawl by both sets of players and there was further action for referee Kevin Graham who cautioned both assistant managers John Joyce of Annan and Gavin Price of Elgin for threatening and aggressive action.

There were few clear cut chances in the first half but Annan did create one golden opportunity in the 33rd minute when Lewis Guy created a good opening for Josh Todd down the left and Todd laid the ball back into the path of Rabin Omar who had a clear sight of goal but the disappointing shot never tested Mark Hurst in the Elgin goal. Minutes later Elgin full back Matthew Cooper set up Brian Cameron but his shot never tested Jordan Hart.

Brian Cammeron headed straight into Jordan Hart’s arms in the 39th minute when he connected with a Connor McLaren cross. Annan conceded a last minute corner in the first half but the Annan defence saw out the danger to send both teams in all square at half time.

Annan went ahead in the in the 63rd minute and once again it was their ace striker Josh Todd who hit the net when he picked the ball up on the half way line and surged forward past Jamie Duff before cutting into the box to finish with a low shot into the corner of the net past keeper Mark Hurst. The goal gave Annan a distinct advantage and in the 74th minute they doubled their lead. Flynn was the provider when his penetrating pass picked out Smart Osadolor who still with a lot to do managed to slip the marking defender to finish with a low clinical shot into the net form 8 yards.

Elgin pushed on all their substitutes in an effort to turn the game and it was one of those substitutes Dylan Easton who did the spade work when he won his way past Barry Cuddihy on the bye line to send in a precise cross to the oncoming Kyle Mcleod who headed into the net from 4 yards in the 78th minute. It was just the tonic the home team needed.

Smart Osadolor gave Annan a brief rest bite in the 84th minute when his lob was saved by keeper Mark Hurst. Annan looked to be seeing the game out until the 89th minute when Dylan Easton cut in from the left along the 18 yard line when he tempted Ben Jago into a tackle which the referee adjudged was a penalty kick and Brian Cameron despatched the spot kick low and to the left of Jordan Hart. The decision infuriated Annan boss Jim Chapman who was sent to the stand for disputing the decision with referee Kevin Graham.

The game was finely balanced but then Elgin City had substitute Marc McKenzie sent off for appearing to take exception to a decision made by the linesman. Then deep into injury time chaos erupted after Mark Nicholson’s poor challenge on Smart Osadolor which resulted in both sets of players getting involved. The result of which saw Annan’s Matty Flynn being sent off with Nicholson being booked for the challenge and after the match both assistant managers were cautioned for threatening and violent conduct.

At the end of the day both teams had to settle for point which did neither team any good in their quest to lift the title on a day when East Fife who took a giant step to the title after defeating Arbroath by a single goal. Elgin and Annan still occupy the play off places and with four games to go Annan are still well placed to make the play offs and with 3 of these games being played at Galabank the incentive is for the home supporters to turn out in force to encourage Annan over the line for a play off place.

ELGIN CITY :Mark Hurst, Mathew Cooper , Archie McPhee, Jamie Duff, Mark Nicholson, Thomas Reilly , Conor McLaren , Brian Cameron, Craig Gunn (Marc McKenzie 76 min), Stevie Ross (Dylan Easton 66 min), Daniel Moore (Kyle McLeod 76min). SUBS NOT USED: ​Kyle Lander, Jordan Halsman, Darryl McHardy, Stewart Black GK.
Elgin Goals-

McLeod (78) Cameron (89)
ANNAN ATHLETIC: Jordan Hart, Steven Black ( Jack Breslin 64 min), Rabin Omar, Martin McNiff, Peter Watson, Brian Cuddihy, Ben Jago, Mattew Flynn, Steven Sloan, Josh Todd ,Lewis Guy ( Smart Osadolor 67 min). SUBS NOT USED: Blair Currie GK , Steven Singlehurst, Stuart McColm, Liam Park.

Annan Goals- Todd (62) Osadolor (73)

REFEREE: Brian Graham. ​

ASSISTANTS: Alistair Mather and Jim Burns.​

Attendance 861